Upmarket flats being swamped by Airbnb and short-term tenants, say dismayed residents
By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents in a block of posh flats claim unscrupulous estate agents and property managers have turned their building into an Airbnb, where rubbish is dumped in hallways and rough sleepers break into flats.
Homeowners in Dahlia House, North Wharf Road, Paddington, said they’ve installed security cameras just to feel safe and avoid communal areas at all costs.
A number of residents claim they’ve witnessed rubbish bags pile up in communal areas, carpets and lifts dirtied by visitors, and a build-up of animal faeces on walkways, which they blamed on short-term renters.
They have also complained about tenants blaring music into the early hours of the morning, and then becoming aggressive when asked to stop.
One homeowner, who had to move bedrooms because of the noise coming from next door, said: “We have tried to talk to them in a civilised manner but they don’t care.”
Another homeowner claimed: “There are two hotels behind Padding Gardens. We don’t need any more.” He added: “When I bought here I thought I was living in a civilised place, but it’s the exact opposite. People here are uncivilised.”
Residents claim many flats in Dahlia House have been operating as a de-facto Airbnb since 2021, with many allegedly being used by foreign nationals seeking medical attention in the UK.
It is permissible to let an apartment on a short-term lease of 90 days per year without requiring planning permission. However, Westminster City council believes many of these lets exceed this cap. Real estate agent AMZ, which advertised flats, has denied it is running short-term lets in Dahlia House.
Bahrain-based property company Meritas Holdings, which owns a number of flats managed by AMZ in Dahlia House, said: “We have been contacted by Westminster City council regarding short-term tenancies and we are in communication with them and have responded that we do not have such arrangements.
“I confirm that no enforcement notices have been issued by the local planning authority as a result to our responses to the planning contravention notices.”
According to the Land Registry, Paddington Company Two holds a head lease for the building, allowing it to sublet its 52 flats.
Analysis of Companies House records show the beneficial owners of the Guernsey-based company either work for a Bahrain-based bank and Meritas Holdings. The freeholder, Amwaj Property Limited, is also based in Bahrain. These companies have been contacted for comment and did not respond.
Dahlia House Residents’ Association said: “Many of us thought we were buying our ‘forever home’ only to discover that Paddington Gardens essentially operates as a large-scale Airbnb and resembles a hotel with guests checking in and out continuously throughout the day. It’s lead to several security breaches and break-ins.”
Pictured top: Dahlia House (Picture: Google Street View)